Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings.

A/N: I know, I promised to update at least a week after the last chapter came out…. I'm so sorry! I've been so lazy lately, plus the writer's block that hit was unexpected and uncalled for. With that said, I won't lie. The chances of me updating this story quickly are slim. I might as well take a hint from other authors and work on the chapters ahead of time, shouldn't I?

Note about this chapter: This chapter will primarily be focusing on the elves point of view. Therefore, any writing that is like "this" is elvish. Writing that is like "this" is English. "This" is thinking and flashbacks, as usual.


And so it was that a small party of elven hunters followed the Hogwarts caretaker, Argus Filch, into the majestic castle, much to the awe of the students. The leader of the group, Celeduil, Captain of the hunters, requested to speak to Dumbledore on a "matter of the upmost importance" (his eyes were both narrowed in anger and disappointment, at Dumbledore or the fact that this was the second time the incident occurred was unclear). Much later, much to the chagrin of many, king Lithinduiel himself arrived at the head of his own party, his siblings not included. Battresinduil and Vivrendella were both upset about their mentor, Huor Séregon's, petrification. Naturally, they both wanted to come and give the headmaster a good tongue-lashing (something that the two both inherited from their mother), much to Lithin's amusement (something that he inherited from his father. It was something he was glad for, with how his two younger siblings kept butting heads thanks to the stubborn natures they got from their mother). Of course, that doesn't excuse the fact that Lithin was angry, something that his advisors noticed. They gave him some space, slightly scared of the fake smile that he gave to those students that they passed in the halls.

The group followed one of the teachers, professor Minerva McGonagall, as she led them to the hospital wing. Lithin was glad that this headstrong woman was the Deputy-Headmistress, a role that she certainly earned with both the dignity that she displayed and the hard work that got her the position. Huor always did like Minerva, the elven king thought to himself, observing the lady in front of him out of the corner of his eye as he nodded to the many paintings lining the walls, A lot of backbone. Something that he said Dumbledore needed.

Albus Dumbledore. Lithin wasn't entirely sure of how to think of the man. He had met him when he was younger and attended Hogwarts, a time that was certainly far, far away. At that time, Albus was a respectable student, a model Gryffindor. However, Lithin always had this feeling that he knew more then he should. Many years ago, after the Potters were killed and the Longbottoms were driven into insanity, Lithin could remember a time when Huor was seething. He had snapped at people if they got too close, and his temper had made many of their fellows stay out of his way for the next four years. Naturally, right at the beginning of it, Lithin was asked by many of his advisors to do something about it. So, he asked what was wrong. This, of course set the older elf on a rant that lasted the next twenty minutes about how Albus shouldn't be doing this or that. When he finally got to the point, Lithin had been shell-shocked.


"Placing Harry with the Dursleys? I mean, what is Albus thinking?" The elven professor had been pacing in front of his king by this point. Lithin's head snapped up.

"The Dursleys? You do not mean the family that Petunia Evans married into," he had asked, his blue eyes showing a deep concern. Huor threw his hands into the air.

"The very same," his old mentor exclaimed. "I've told him multiple times about how Lily came to me to talk about her sister, about how she feels that Petunia might hate her for her magic! I don't understand what in Valar's name he thought he was doing, sending Harry to live with his aunt and her magic-hating, muggle husband!" Lithin felt his eyes narrow.

"And don't get me started on what happened to Sirius Black," Huor continued. "Not helping him when he was accused of murdering a friend?! After being the one to cast the charm that labelled Peter as the Potters' Secret Keeper?! This is bull-!"

"Wait," Lithin said, his hands raised slightly when the other elf turned to glare at him. "How do you know that Peter was the Secret Keeper?" Huor shrugged, sighing.

"Lily told me right after, said it was Sirius' idea," he replied.


He had continued to rant some more before he had calmed down, thanking Lithin for listening and apologizing for hurting his ears with his yelling. It didn't stop him from stomping around for a little while longer before he finally let it slide. Lithin, however, doesn't forget things so easily. His father had told him multiple times that a hunter must always be aware of his surroundings, so Lithin had taken the time to think about all the things that Albus had done up to that point. Of course, Huor had started up his rant again during the summer, saying how Albus shouldn't have made the traps that protected the Philosopher's Stone so easy, saying that they should have been at least N.E.W.T. level. With that thought in mind, Lithin couldn't help but wonder: Why was such a valuable object at Hogwarts anyway? Wouldn't it be safer if it stayed in the hands of its creator? Huor was rather upset that Quirrell had died, he had been a model student.

Lithin shook his head, clearing his mind as they finally reached the hospital wing. Huor had told him multiple times to guard his mind, just to be safe from anything that might seek to harm him in his dreams. He had called it Occlumacy, though Lithin didn't know how much good it would do around powerful wizards such as Dumbledore.

"Thank you, Minerva," he said to the Transfiguration professor, bowing slightly with a tip of his head.

"It was my pleasure," she replied, nodding in reply, her lips turning upwards. "I suggest knocking before you go in," she added, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Poppy doesn't usually allow too many visitors in at once."

"I'll keep that in mind." Lithin nodded once more as the professor turned to leave before looking to the infirmary door. Bidding his escort with a hand wave (to which the small party dispersed and spoke with the hunters, quietly in groups of two or three), Lithin went to the large wooden door and knocked. He waited patiently for the door to open, Madam Poppy Pomfrey greeting him.

"Two others are already with him," she said, letting him in. "Be as quiet as you can." Lithin followed the medi-witch through the white room with large windows, beds lining the walls on either side. He noted that several had blinds drawn, to which Lithin assumed that these were other petrified victims. The duo finally reached one of the beds, its blinds drawn. Walking behind them, Lithin nodded to both Celeduil and Urúvion. The latter stood, bowing before leaving quietly. The elven king took the vacated seat, crossing his legs as he peered curiously at Huor's frozen form.

The elven professor was lain down on the bed, his eyes wide in shock and fear. His hands were down by his sides, clenched and his mouth slightly agape. Lithin absently felt his forehead. He was stone cold. Sighing, Lithin leaned back in his seat, bringing a hand to his forehead and massaging the ache that was rapidly forming. Celeduil quietly stood, walking around the bed and placing a hand on his shoulder and giving him a small smile as he squeezed lightly. Lithin gave a sad smile in return, patting his friend's hand before the other elf left, leaving him alone with Huor. The elven king sighed, his head falling into his hands.

For many minutes he sat there silently, ignoring most of the going-ons around him. He was too busy sorting through memories, many of them happy and most of them involving Huor. There were the ones that he thought about involving his mother and father, the wonderful times they had before they left to the Undying Lands. This brought a smile to his face as he recalled a time when his ada and naneth got into an argument over who was a better shot with a bow. Battre had ended it by saying that he was better than the two of them combined.

He looked up to the chair on the opposite side of the bed when it was filled, its new occupant slightly uncomfortable. Lithin didn't recognize the boy, whose white blond hair was slicked back and his steel grey eyes curiously watching him. He blushed when he noticed that Lithin was aware of his presence.

"Hello there," he said quietly. The blond boy jumped slightly before calming and his face became impassive, though the light pink that tinged his pale cheeks became a darker shade.

"Hello," the boy politely replied. "How are you?"

"Fine, I suppose," Lithin said, shrugging. "I do not believe we have formally met. I am Lithinduiel, son of Legolas. Who might you be?" The boy puffed out his chest, his pointed chin raising.

"I'm Malfoy," he replied. "Draco Malfoy. Nice to meet you." Lithin smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine. So tell me young Malfoy, what do you happen to be doing here?" Draco shrugged, glancing to his petrified professor.

"I wanted to visit professor Séregon, sir. He's one of my favourite teachers." Lithin chuckled, grinning. The young Slytherin (Lithin noted the green tie and the accompanying robes) blushed again.

"Firstly," the elven king began. "Please don't call me 'sir'. I makes me feel old. Secondly, I don't suggest saying that in front of your dear professor, he has a big enough ego as it is." Draco snorted, rolling his eyes. Lithin continued chuckling.

"I never knew he had a large ego," Draco replied thoughtfully. Lithin's grin widened.

"Trust me, he does," he replied. "Elves just don't show how pleased complements make us. Huor especially, and he does a rather good job of hiding it." At this, the young student smirked.

"Well, professor Séregon was a Slytherin, wasn't he? We're naturally good at masking our expressions." Lithin felt a smirk coming onto his face as well.

"Indeed," he replied, then added teasingly, "Though some more than others." Once more, Draco blushed, frowning as Lithin chuckled. The two continued to talk quietly before Poppy returned to inform the young Slytherin that he should be going. Both stood from their seats and left the hospital wing together before Lithin spotted the Headmaster coming towards him. Draco waved goodbye, to which Lithin returned before turning his attention to Dumbledore.

"King Lithinduiel," Dumbledore said, bowing. "I was not expecting you today. One of your advisors informed me that you wished to speak with me?" Lithin could feel his previously forgotten anger returning slowly, his gaze avoiding to look directly into the twinkling blue eyes. The surrounding spectators held their breaths as they watched the scene, their conversations forgotten. Many couldn't understand English, something that a few of them were glad for judging from their king's raging eyes.

"Yes," Lithin replied, his polite tone clipped and forced. "I wondered when you were going to explain how this occurred. Or perhaps explain why this is happening again?" The elven king crossed his arms, eyes narrowed and blue eyes flashing dangerously. His voice was rather quiet, Dumbledore having to strain his ears to hear, though once he did, he explained as best he could. From how students said that they saw Huor leave the Great Hall just before the Duelling Club was dismissed to how he was found. Lithin listened with rapt attention. Finally, when Dumbledore was finished, Lithin nodded slowly, his eyes still narrowed.

"We're leaving," he said, turning his head to Celeduil, who nodded before gesturing for the elves to gather. The king turned back to the Headmaster. "Well then, we'll just be getting out of your way. I expect to hear of any changes in his condition right as they happen." When Dumbledore nodded, Lithin and the elves left quickly, silently making their way through the halls and out the front hall. They quickly made their way to the courtyard and towards the Forbidden Forest.

Upon entering under the tall trees, the group split; Celeduil and the hunters continuing on their patrol while the king and his entourage made their way home.